Patrice Evra bound to be feeling vindicated after FA rule in his favour in racism row

There was nothing but silence from Old Trafford as the Football Association’s
verdict on the Luis Suárez-Patrice Evra race row broke shortly before 8pm on
Tuesday, yet there will have been a sense of vindication and relief from the
Manchester United man caught alongside Suárez in the eye of the storm.

Loose talk: Patrice Evra has been vindicated by the FA's three-man panelPhoto: EPA

Three years ago this month, Patrice Evra was damned by an FA regulatory commission for supplying “exaggerated and unreliable” evidence following allegations of racism during the infamous ‘Battle of the Bridge’ with Chelsea ground staff in April 2008.

On that occasion, Evra was fined £15,000 and hit with a four-match suspension as punishment for his part in the post-match brawl at Stamford Bridge, following United’s defeat against Chelsea, which resulted in United's coaching staff claiming the Senegal-born defender was called a “------- immigrant” by Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell.

The FA’s verdict, greeted with fury by United, questioned the reliability of Evra's evidence so his decision to report Suarez for racist abuse following the Premier League draw with Liverpool at Anfield in October was bold and not without risk.

That reality was backed up last night with a Liverpool statement in response to Suarez’s eight-game suspension claiming the Merseyside club found it ‘extraordinary that Luis can be found guilty on the word of Patrice Evra alone.’

The fact that the three-man FA panel found his Evra’s favour, however, ensured that the United defender could not be accused of ‘exaggeration’ on this occasion.

The FA found that ‘Mr Suarez used insulting words towards Mr Evra during the match contrary to FA Rule E3(1)’ and that ‘the insulting words used by Mr Suarez included a reference to Mr Evra’s colour within the meaning of Rule E3(2).’ Having been dismissed an unreliable witness in 2008, Evra might now consider himself as having struck a blow against racism in football.

Racism remains a hugely sensitive issue and Suarez’s decision to publicly deny Evra’s accusations within 24 hours of them being aired ensured the nightmare scenario for the FA — England’s two biggest clubs and two of their leading players — offering diametrically opposed versions of events.

Sir Alex Ferguson quickly insisted that United did not regard the situation as a conflict with Liverpool, rather an issue raised by their player which required the club’s full support.

The Scot adhered to the FA’s request for the issue not to be discussed publicly.

At the outset of the damaging affair, Ferguson insisted he would have ‘plenty to say’ when the time was right. With Liverpool so angry at the FA’s decision and their reliance on Evra’s statement, relations between English football most iconic and respected clubs are unlikely to improve any time soon.